Page 73 of Of Mercury and Mist

I resumed walking. “I was a little surprised at all the arrangement entails but it's not bad. It will take some getting used to.”

Lily looked hopeful. “But he’s kind to you, right?”

The question made me wonder what her own sponsor was like. She was here all the time, it seemed, so I knew hers wasn’t as possessive as mine. She could experience difficulties in other ways, though, for all I knew.

“He is. Really, it's going as well as can be expected. I’m adjusting.”

The office door opened. “Ashley, come in. Hi Lily.” Matthew stood in the doorway, taking up the whole frame. “Go back to work.” He winked at my friend.

I entered and he shut the door behind me and then leaned against his desk, his arms crossed. “I trust the arrangement is suitable? Have you had any issues, anything you’d like to discuss? Concerns?”

Shaking my head, I replied, “No, everything is good. I’m sure you’re aware it's a huge change. Isaac hasn’t done anything I didn’t expect, on some level.”

Matthew glanced at my neck and made a face like he’d just sucked on a lemon, reminding me of the rumor blood had been stolen from him. He must not be terribly fond of vampires, I assumed. “That’s good to hear. You look well. You are free to perform the duties of your shift in the main room. No private services, remember.”

“I do. Thank you.”

Kayla met me halfway. “There’s a guy asking for you. He’s at table fifteen.”

“Okay, I’ll go over there.”

She kept pace with me. “So? How is it? Did you guys bang?”

My hand dragged down my face before I glanced at her and said, “Why are you all obsessed with sex?”

“You did,” she laughed, “it's written all over your face.”

Everyone here would smell it, too. These creatures had super powered senses and now that I did have a Keeper, as Isaac would be referred to by many, my status would be broadcasted like I paid for a commercial in Times Square.

“Look at the business we’re in and ask yourself about sex again. Everything is sex. You wouldn’t even be alive if it wasn’t for your parents getting freaky.”

“Oh my God Kayla, okay. You’re right but I don’t need that visual.” We stopped at the edge of the main floor.

She shrugged. “I’d get a patron if it wasn’t for Andy. I mean, I’d change my status to available in case anyone asked. Vampires do it better.”

I couldn’t help it; I giggled. “You’re not wrong.”

Kayla’s shoulder touched mine. “I need to get Andy bit. Can you imagine?”

Yes, I could. We’d both slept with the man. “You forget who you’re talking to.”

“Oops. Anyway... I think you know that guy.” She tilted her head in the direction of table fifteen. Samuel.

“Yeah, I do. How’d he know I was here?” Oh yeah, he could smell me. Or maybe he saw me walk in?

Samuel was sitting, patiently waiting for me, his blond hair standing out in the low light. “All right, I’ll see you later. No sending vamps after Andy, please,” I said, grinning at my friend.

Kayla’s eyes shone. “But maybe his dick will grow bigger?”

I barked out a laugh and waved her off, my chest shaking from laughter. There was nothing wrong with Andy’s equipment. She obviously knew it, having slept with him how God knew how many times, after how long they’d been together now.

As I weaved my way through the tables, I felt watched. Many of the customers were checking me out but they were separable from a singular gaze prickling the baby hairs on the back of my neck. No matter which way I turned, taking the long way to Samuel, the feeling of observation never let go, dark and insistent.

Pausing, I swiveled my head, searching the faces. My heart stopped before it leaped up my throat, and I grabbed the back of a chair.

Micha.

He was here; here with two men I didn’t recognize, sitting at one of the lower tables with leather armchairs surrounding it. He was dressed as impeccably as always, one long, lean leg resting on a knee and a glass of red liquid in hand. His companions were dressed as finely, but neither held a candle to his elegance. With distaste, I saw one of the girls, named Kelly, alternating between the men, hanging all over them.

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